The first Gala day on record was on Saturday 19th June 1948.The Gala Queen during this period was called the ‘Queen of theRoses’. The first Queen was Anne Elliot and her Champion wasJames Aitken. Food rationing was still in force so application tothe food office was essential to produce supplies for the largegathering of people attending the event. Stonehouse Merchants’Association presented the committee with a cheque for £50(reckoned at the time to be a magnificent sum) to set in motionan annual Gala Day as the initial one was deemed a greatsuccess. Gala Days from 1949-1952 followed more or less thesame format, lapsing between 1953 to 1958. In 1959 a meeting was called to revive the event, to be held in May, changing the nameof the ‘Queen of the Roses’, to the ‘May Queen’, and the ‘Boy Attendant’ to ‘Herald’. (The May Queen originates from an ancient Celtic festival). A horse drawn open Landauwas hired from the Co-op to transport the May Queen to the park. The StonehouseSilver Band and Larkhall Silver Band were regulars at the Gala days. The StonehousePipe Band had only a few members during this time. The Tilework Park in Union Streetwas used for the Crowning Ceremony but there were problems with the park beingwaterlogged. On one occasion Guy Hamilton’s field off Udston Mill Road had to be usedin an emergency. Before 1963 the boys had worn Elizabethan costumes, but by 1964they had converted to kilts. The Gala Day then lapsed from 1965-1974. Today the festival, now held on the 2nd Saturday in June, remains a vibrant, colourfuland fun packed occasion which the village and visitors look forward to every year. Thefestivities begin with a procession through the village to the Alexander Hamilton park forthe crowning ceremony and where the crowds can enjoy fairground atractions, stalls,musical entertainment and dancing displays. Throughout the village residents andorganisations will hold parties, barbeques and dances to complement the celebrationshold parties, barbeques and dances to complement the celebrations.